This type of collective biography of sensational characters, behaviour, or talent was pioneered by printseller and author James Caulfield (1764–1826) in the late eighteenth century and became widely popular throughout a good part of the nineteenth century.

With this edition, Wonderful Characters makes its debut in North America, illustrated with plates newly engraved by British born engraver and lithographer Stephen Henry Gimber (1806 or 1810-1862). Gimber emigrated to America with his wife around 1829 and was active in New York for a time with A.L. Dick. Naturalized in 1843 and moved to Philadelphia.
Slight variations with the English plates can be observed, notably with regard to the eyes and expression of some of the subjects.

The biography of Matthew Robinson Morris (Lord Rokeby), includes an extensive exposition on the history of the beard, including the female beard throughout history (pp. 201–7).